Chapter 11 – From The Voice Of A Dragon Lord

Merlin's arrival couldn't have come any quicker for Rumple. Bae had been sat on his father's lap who was sat on the throne as his grandparents stood by his side. Bae cuddle close to his papa nervously when the tall old man with a long flowing white beard mixed with tiny strands of what appeared like silver that nearly reached the floor. The old man had a constant stern expression upon his face and his eyes, although they were obviously aged with both time and knowledge they also seemed to carry fire that made the young prince feel nervous.

The old wizard kept his balance with an ornate staff of oak wood. His staff was as famous in Misthaven as it was in Camelot. The staff was said to have been carved from the very first enchanted tree that had been planted. It was said that the power it held could be used to move mountains, cause storms and even had the power to call those back from the dead but even if that was so the old sorcerer had never abused the particular power.

Rumple kept quiet as he held his son in his arms when the old man bowed his head respectfully.

"I am Merlin. Royal adviser to King Uther of Camelot. Member of the council of the round table and The last Dragon Lord. I speak for the noble creatures and they provide protection for those of noble heart but for now I am here to assist one of equally noble heart" He said nobly and Rumple stood slowly and passed his son to his grandfather before looking at the old sorcerer,

"You speak of my wife….." he said softly,

"Can you help her?" he asked hopefully and the old wan was silent for a moment what seemed like eternity for Rumple before the old man finally spoke,

"Word of your wife's kindness has traveled far beyond the borders of Misthaven King Rumple" he explained and Rumple couldn't help but smile softly to himself and behind the sorcerer's flowing white beard, Rumple could have sworn that he saw a slight trace of a smile as well,

"I shall do all within my power to save your wife your majesty….. It would be my honour" he declared and Rumple smiled brightly,

"Oh thank you! Thank you so much" he said gratefully as his parents hugged their grandson behind him and Merlin nodded his head gently.

"Now might I see the Queen?" he asked with a slight gleam in his eye.

The old sorcerer removed the crystal Bell jar carefully before taking the delicate, floating bloom in his old, wrinkled hands as his legendary staff rested at his side. Merlin turned slowly towards an antique sofa bed and he gently laid the bloom down.

Rumple watched the old man in silent fascination, quietly praying in his mind and heart that his magic would work.

Merlin once again took his staff in his ancient hand and waved his free hand over the glowing rose and Rumple heard the old man start to speak in a grumbling tone but it was in some ancient language that Rumple couldn't understand and to Rumple's amazement, Merlin had conjured a glittering silver hand mirror from mid-air and the old man slowly turned towards him and offered him the mirror,

"This mirror has the power to recall your wife's true reflection but it will require assistance." He explained before continuing,

"To see the beauty of a person's appearance is one thing but you have seen the beauty that comes from inside her heart" he said softly as Rumple took the mirror slowly and nodded in understanding and he slowly walked over to the rose that rested upon the surface of the sofa bed and he slowly held up the mirror's reflective surface to the view of the rose and slowly closed his eyes.

Rumple remembered every smile, every hug, every single act of kindness. Rumple thought of every memory of his wife that he held dear within both his mind and his heart and he whispered,

"Please… Please come back to me"

Rumple repeated every memory over and over again his mind. The next five minutes seemed to last for what seemed like a thousand years when finally….,

"Rumple?" said a quiet voice.

That voice. Oh he had waited for what seemed like an eternity to hear that precious voice once again and Rumple opened his eyes to find an exhausted Belle lying on the sofa bed and he smiled bright as happy tears formed in his eyes.

"Belle… Oh my love" he said, placing the mirror on the floor before taking her in his arms gently, never wanting to let go of her again,

"Oh Belle I have missed you so much" he whispered as he pressed gentle kisses to the crown of her head and Belle snuggled into his arms gently whilst resting her head on his shoulder,

"What happened?... I remember using a spell and then… after that everything seems blurred" she said softly before looking up at him with a confused expression before continuing,

"Rumple…. Were you spraying me with a water bottle?" she asked confused,

And Rumple simply chuckled and shuck his head simply in amusement and simply pressed a kiss to her head.

Merlin nodded his head as he smiled gently at the young couple as they reunited with each other and now there was only one thing left to do.

Inform the royal family of King Uther's request now that he had allowed his court sorcerer to assist the queen of Misthaven.

Oooooooooooooo what could King Uther's request be?! Please review in order to unlock the next chapter.

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Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996